Solar Cooking Produces Delicious Foods And Is Healthy For The Environment

By Kay Hedges
Solar ovens can be made or bought in a variety of sizes to fit every budget or space. They can safely and effectively cook almost any food product, from bread to meats and vegetables. They are efficient at maintaining a steady, moderate temperature that produces tender results without scorching the food.

Ease of use

A solar oven is easy and safe to use in the back yard or on camping trips. It can be used in the forest even when requirements for no-fire days are in use. A meal can be started, campers can then go fishing or hiking, and return in a few hours to a completed meal. There is no cost for firewood and no danger of wildfires.

At the beach, a solar oven is easy to transport and set up with no danger of charcoal or gas grill burns. When everyone is through playing in the water, a meal can be ready and waiting. Live coals are not a problem when it is time to go home. Some models are made of plastic and stainless steel which are tough, non-corrosive, and not affected by moisture.

Usage in an RV requires no propane or drain on electricity. Most ovens are collapsible and fit snugly in one of the many compartments ready to be brought out and used when stopping at a park.

Even boaters can enjoy a hot meal cooked entirely by sunshine because some models do not have to be precisely aimed at the sun. They can be secured in a sunny part of the boat and cook even while the craft is moving. Water skiing, fishing, swimming, or just sunning can all be done simultaneously while the food is cooking.

Portable

Because most family size ovens weigh about 10-15 pounds, they can be easily carried to wherever the fun will be. Picnics at the park are more enjoyable because no one has to miss the fun by cooking while everyone else is playing games.

No burning

Because most cooking temperatures are in the 210-260 degrees F range in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and about 300 degrees F around the equator, the food is thoroughly cooked given enough time. It does not become hot enough to burn the food.

Environmentally friendly

Reducing pollution and saving the environment are prime goals in sustainability education among countries around the world. Wood used for cooking fires adds CO2 and smoke particulates into the atmosphere. There is no smoke pollution from a solar oven.

Reduce electric bill

Around the home, meals can be cooked outdoors year around. During the summer ovens reduce heat in the kitchen.

Food tastes better

A little like commercially available crock pots, the slow cooking enhances the flavor of food without the leaching out vitamins. Extra water is not needed for most cooking which encourages flavors to blend more thoroughly and contributes to delicious products.

Depending on the angle of the sun and time of year, food cooks in a solar oven in about 2-4 hours. It also depends on the food. Large pieces of meat take longer to cook than do smaller pieces. Foods like meat and vegetables require no additional liquid while cooking. Grains and pasta do require liquid to re-hydrate them.

Cooking times

A solar oven can be used year around with modifications taken to enhance the sun's angle into the oven. Some models need to be re-aimed at the sun every hour or so. But others are more versatile and do not require that.

The cooking time required for different foods does, however, vary with the season of year. When the sun is at a low angle in wintertime, more time might be required for cooking and re-aiming toward the sun might be necessary.

There is no electricity, wood, charcoal, gas or propane required when cooking with a solar oven. All that is required is sunshine. Whether used for cooking or for outside activities, sunshine is abundant, natural, non-polluting, and free.